USS Anchorage Conducts Exercise at Sea with Sri Lankan Navy

Sri Lanka – San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and embarked U.S. Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lanka Navy while on a regularly scheduled deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th MEU, August 28, 2018. USS Anchorage and the embarked Marines of the 13th MEU conducted a theater security cooperation exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy and Navy Marines. Part of a growing U.S.-Sri Lanka naval partnership, the exercise is also an opportunity for U.S. Seventh Fleet to explore local logistics support services for visiting naval forces operating throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo by Cpl. Victoria Decker)

Sri Lanka – San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and embarked U.S. Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lanka Navy while on a regularly scheduled deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th MEU, August 28, 2018. USS Anchorage and the embarked Marines of the 13th MEU conducted a theater security cooperation exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy and Navy Marines. Part of a growing U.S.-Sri Lanka naval partnership, the exercise is also an opportunity for U.S. Seventh Fleet to explore local logistics support services for visiting naval forces operating throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo by Cpl. Victoria Decker)

The exercise allowed the ships to improve each crews' knowledge and strengthen a wide variety of seamanship skills critical to operating throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"The Sailors and Marines on USS Anchorage were honored to work with our partners in the Sri Lankan military during their port visit," said Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet. "The close teamwork we've seen in this visit, U.S.-Sri Lankan participation in multiple military exercises over the past year, and the hospital ship USNS Mercy's visit to Trincomalee in April, reflects our mutual commitment to strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and Sri Lankan militaries."

For the Sailors aboard the Anchorage, it was also a chance to improve their skills with their Sri Lankan counterparts sailing alongside.

A part of a growing U.S.-Sri Lanka naval partnership, the at-sea exercise follows the Anchorage’s theater security cooperation exercise conducted with the Sri Lankan Navy and Navy Marines, Sri Lankan Navy’s inaugural participation in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), which concluded Aug. 2, as well as exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka, held for the first time last year.

“The Anchorage team and I had an incredible time in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka and we are incredibly proud to be serving alongside the Sri Lankan navy,” said Captain Dennis Jacko, commanding officer of USS Anchorage. “Not only do we increase our proficiency in communications, but also continue to build on a strong and lasting partnership with the Sri Lankan navy.”

“It was great to see us and the Sri Lankans operating in tandem,” said Lt. j.g. Kayla Coleman, the officer of the deck while operating together. “This exercise is a great culmination of the highly successful theatre security cooperation event in Sri Lanka.”

Anchorage, part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and the embarked 13th MEU are deployed to the 7th fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations.

For more information on USS Anchorage, find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/anchoragelpd23

For more information on 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/ 13thMEUView/ or on Twitter.